Steven Allen Adams

West Virginia Board of Education approves county public school closing, consolidation plans CHARLESTON – Despite the objections of several residents, the West Virginia Board of Education said its hands were tied when it came to halting proposed school closing and consolidation plans for six ...

Despite the objections of several residents, the WV Board of Education said its hands were tied when it came to halting proposed school closing and consolidation plans for six counties and 15 schools, calling on lawmakers to provide flexibility.

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Mayer: West Virginia taking federal child welfare audit seriously CHARLESTON – The cabinet secretary for West Virginia’s Department of Human Services outlined eight pillars of reform responding to a recent federal audit of Child Protective Services, including plans ...

The cabinet secretary for West Virginia’s Department of Human Services outlined eight pillars of reform responding to a recent federal audit of Child Protective Services, including plans to improve technology, practice, placements, and fiscal responsibility.

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House Republican majority unveils Jobs First Opportunity Everywhere agenda CHARLESTON – House Speaker Roger Hanshaw and the Republican supermajority of the West Virginia House of Delegates laid out their Christmas list for the next legislative session in January focused on j...

House Speaker Roger Hanshaw and the Republican supermajority of the West Virginia House of Delegates laid out their Christmas list for the next legislative session in January focused on job creation and economic development.

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West Virginia lawmakers briefed on approved changes to PEIA coverage CHARLESTON — The finance board for West Virginia’s Public Employee Insurance Agency recently approved slight premium increases and other fee hikes for the state’s health coverage program beginning in ...

The finance board for West Virginia’s Public Employee Insurance Agency recently approved slight premium increases and other fee hikes for the state’s health coverage program beginning in July, though lawmakers had questions about possible changes.

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Connect the Watts: AI, data centers may be crucial for coal-fired power, natural gas production CHARLESTON — With coal largely being supplanted by natural gas as the fossil fuel of choice for the electric-producing industry, growth in the use of artificial intelligence and the data centers that ...

With coal largely being supplanted by natural gas as the fossil fuel of choice for the electric-producing industry, growth in the use of AI and the data centers that back up those programs could be the key for both industries to prosper.

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Reporter’s Notebook: Where the buck stops I was very pleased last Monday to hear Gov. Patrick Morrisey say that the decision to leave behind a volunteer contingent of West Virginia National Guard members was his. “I made the decision to have ...

In today’s Reporter’s Notebook: Whether you’re talking about the initial deployment of WV National Guard to D.C. or the remaining volunteer contingent, the buck stops with Gov. Morrisey. And it’s the season of giving…to political fundraisers.

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Judge: Creation of Charter Schools Violates West Virginia Constitution CHARLESTON – Years after the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals kicked a decision regarding the legalities of the state’s public charter school pilot program back to a Kanawha County judge, that s...

Years after the WV Supreme Court of Appeals kicked a decision regarding the legalities of the state’s public charter school pilot program back to a Kanawha County judge, that same judge said current and future charter schools may require voter input.

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West Virginia Public Broadcasting navigates uncertain waters heading into 2026 CHARLESTON – With federal funding up in the air and an unclear budget picture for the next fiscal year, the board that manages West Virginia Public Broadcasting will have to rely more on its foundatio...

With federal funding up in the air and an unclear budget picture for the next fiscal year, the board that manages West Virginia Public Broadcasting will have to rely more on its foundations, local giving, and national philanthropy.

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W.Va. Supreme Court stays lower court ruling allowing for religious vaccine exemptions By STEVEN ALLEN ADAMS Staff Reporter CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals put a halt to an order from a lower court that ordered state and local school officials to accept religious...

The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals put a halt to an order from a lower court that ordered state and local school officials to accept religious vaccine exemptions granted by the state for school-age children.

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Willis named new chairman of Senate Judiciary Committee CHARLESTON – Tom Willis, a freshman state senator from Hedgesville and a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, will helm one of the Legislature’s most powerful committees heading into 2026. State Sena...

Tom Willis, a freshman state senator from Hedgesville and a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, will helm one of the Legislature’s most powerful committees heading into 2026.

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November tax collections, investment returns add to West Virginia fiscal year surplus CHARLESTON – Tax collections in November, combined with $20 million in short-term investment returns, helped add to West Virginia’s growing tax revenue surplus. The state Department of Revenue and the...

Tax collections in November, combined with $20 million in short-term investment returns, helped add to West Virginia’s growing tax revenue surplus.

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W.Va. Officials Offer Update In National Guard Shooting CHARLESTON – West Virginia officials are rallying support for the family of a state National Guard member still in critical condition following a shooting in Washington, D.C., last week and the family...

West Virginia officials are rallying support for the family of a state National Guard member still in critical condition following a shooting in Washington, D.C., last week and the family of his slain colleague.

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Reporter’s Notebook: Bookends I enjoy reading. I guess I wouldn’t be in this profession if I didn’t. When I was 5 years old, I told my dad he no longer had to read to me. From that point on, I slept with numerous books under my be...

In today’s Reporter’s Notebook: Looking for some reading recommendations or gift ideas? Pick up “Born Lucky” by NewsNation anchor Leland Vittert and “Call Me Danny” by former Charleston Mayor Danny Jones.

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Supporters, opponents of West Virginia education rule-making law weigh in CHARLESTON – As the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals prepares to consider a legal challenge to a new law attempting to place education rule-making authority in the hands of lawmakers, opponents ...

As the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals prepares to consider a legal challenge to a new law attempting to place education rule-making authority in the hands of lawmakers, opponents and at least one supporter have weighed in.

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Morrisey calls for lowered flags, moment of prayer for Guard soldier killed in D.C. CHARLESTON – With one member of the West Virginia National Guard dead and another in critical condition following a shooting the day before Thanksgiving, Gov. Patrick Morrisey called for a moment of p...

With one member of the West Virginia National Guard dead and another in critical condition following a shooting the day before Thanksgiving, Gov. Patrick Morrisey called for a moment of prayer for the surviving Guard member and the families of both.

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W.Va. National Guard member dies one day after shooting in D.C. CHARLESTON — A day set aside for thanksgiving turned into an evening of mourning Thursday after state officials announced the death of one of two West Virginia National Guard members shot Wednesday on...

A day set aside for thanksgiving turned into an evening of mourning Thursday after state officials announced the death of one of two West Virginia National Guard members shot Wednesday on the streets of Washington, D.C., while on duty.

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W.Va. National Guard member dies one day after shooting, second member remains in critical condition CHARLESTON – A day set aside for thanksgiving turned into an evening of mourning after state officials announced the death of one of two West Virginia National Guard members shot Wednesday on the stre...

A day set aside for thanksgiving turned into an evening of mourning after state officials announced the death of one of two West Virginia National Guard members shot Wednesday on the streets of Washington, D.C., while on duty.

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Latest Update: Two members of the West Virginia National Guard shot today in Washington, D.C., are in critical condition, the director of the FBI said, after initial reports indicated they had died.

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Raleigh Co. Judge Grants Permanent Injunction Against Education Officials In Religious Vaccine Exemption Case CHARLESTON – A Raleigh County judge issued his official written ruling Wednesday, siding with parents against state and local education officials over their refusal to accept their religious exemption...

Raleigh County judge issued his official written ruling Wednesday, siding with parents against education officials over their refusal to accept their religious exemptions to WV’s school-age vaccine law; a ruling which has wide-ranging implications.

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U.S. Sen. Justice settles with Trump Department of Justice over IRS tax debt By STEVEN ALLEN ADAMS Staff Reporter CHARLESTON – In a late Monday night filing, U.S. Sen. Jim Justice agreed to settle with President Donald Trump’s Internal Revenue Service for more than $5.1 millio...

UPDATED: Hours after a lawsuit was filed by President Trump’s Department of Justice on behalf of the IRS, U.S. Sen. Justice agreed to settle over more than $5.1 million in outstanding tax debts owed by the former governor and former first lady Cathy Justice.
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Site certification rules released for data center/microgrid law CHARLESTON – The public comment period is now open for West Virginians to weigh in on proposed rules governing the certification of sites for the state’s new law aimed at luring data centers powered b...

The public comment period is now open for West Virginians to weigh in on proposed rules governing the certification of sites for the state’s new law aimed at luring data centers powered by their own microgrid power plants.

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Reporter’s Notebook: One governor at a time Larry Pack has a good reputation as an accountant and businessman, having operated an assisted living company until selling it off a few years ago. He was an active member of the West Virginia House o...

In today’s Reporter’s Notebook: Many state officials use their offices as platforms and stepping stones. But I can’t say I’ve seen any past Board of Public Works member specifically try to compete with a sitting governor. Until now.

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Titus appointed to succeed Armstead on W.Va. Supreme Court of Appeals CHARLESTON – Attorney and former federal prosecutor Gerald M. Titus III will succeed the late justice Tim Armstead on the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, but both Titus and Gov. Patrick Morris...

Attorney and former federal prosecutor Gerald M. Titus III will succeed the late justice Tim Armstead on the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, but both Titus and Gov. Patrick Morrisey said Armstead can never be replaced.

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West Virginia’s federal broadband application approved CHARLESTON – West Virginia’s application to access a portion of $1.2 billion in federal broadband dollars was approved, paving the way for expansion of high-speed internet to unserved and underserved ...

West Virginia’s application to access a portion of $1.2 billion in federal broadband dollars was approved, paving the way for expansion of high-speed internet to unserved and underserved parts of the state.

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Final order expected soon in Raleigh County religious vaccine exemption case CHARLESTON – A final order could come by the end of November in the case brought by a Raleigh County parent against state and local education officials to accept the religious vaccine exemption grante...

A final order could come by the end of November in the case brought by a Raleigh County parent against state and local education officials to accept the religious vaccine exemption granted to her child by the West Virginia Department of Health.

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Working the Numbers: Morrisey considering special session for tax reform CHARLESTON – The 2026 legislative session is less than 60 days away, but Gov. Patrick Morrisey is considering calling lawmakers into a special session as soon as December to accelerate cuts to persona...

The 2026 legislative session is less than 60 days away, but Gov. Morrisey is considering calling lawmakers into a special session in December to accelerate cuts to personal income tax rates, though some lawmakers raised concerns about moving too quickly.

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Point of Presence: West Virginia shows improvement on broadband expansion CHARLESTON – West Virginia remains one of the worst states for access to high-speed broadband, but an influx of federal funding over the last five years has helped the state become one of the most imp...

West Virginia remains one of the worst states for access to high-speed broadband, but an influx of federal funding over the last five years has helped the state become one of the most improved for broadband connectivity.

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Toyota announces new $453M investment in West Virginia hybrid manufacturing CHARLESTON – Toyota is making a nearly half-billion-dollar investment in its Putnam County manufacturing plant, creating new jobs and new opportunities for downstream manufacturers, while keeping pace...

Toyota is making a nearly half-billion-dollar investment in its Putnam County manufacturing plant, creating new jobs and new opportunities for downstream manufacturers, while keeping pace with changing technologies.

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Federal review finds issues with Justice-era Child Protective Services CHARLESTON – A federal audit of West Virginia’s child welfare system during former Gov. Jim Justice’s final year in office found that 91% of 100 reviewed reports did not follow requirements for child ...

A federal audit of West Virginia’s child welfare system during former Gov. Jim Justice’s final year in office found that 91% of 100 reviewed reports did not follow requirements for child neglect and abuse cases.

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West Virginia officials back loosening of Waters of the United States rule CHARLESTON – Gov. Patrick Morrisey, U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito and Attorney General J.B. McCuskey praised the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for taking action on a bill aimed at protecting w...

Gov. Patrick Morrisey, U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito and Attorney General J.B. McCuskey praised the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for taking action on a bill aimed at protecting wetlands that some say goes too far.

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